Japanese art has always had something weird going on.
From bizarre ghosts to deeply upsetting hentai, you can always count on a Japanese painting to show you something you’ve never seen before. Most of these ones, though, you’ll wish you never saw at all.
These paintings range from sexual to just plain fucked up, but they all have one thing in common. You really, really don’t want somebody to see these over your shoulder. So if you’re on the train, close this now, and check out 27 Dogs Who Can’t Believe It’s Their Birthday instead. You have been warned.
1
Penis Skeleton, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Circa 1830s.
2
A painting depicting a demon rolling a person out and preparing to cut them into noodles. From the Japanese Hell scrolls, circa 1855
3
A horrifying painting depicting Hell, with demons ripping people apart at the crotch.
4
“Ghost Stories: Night Procession of the Hundred Demons - Part 2” by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, circa 1830s. A demon with a long, flexible neck and a vulva for a face.
5
The Laughing Demoness by Katsushika Hokusai, 1831. Depicts a female demon holding the decapitated head of an infant.
6
Ubume from Bakemono no e, circa 1700. The spirit of a woman who died during childbirth, clutching a fetus.
7
An octopus creature grabbing a person. 18th century Edo period.
8
Yokai Mitate Yin Yang Gacho, owned by Nichibunken. A penis samurai.
9
The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife, by Katsushika Hokusai, 1814. Two octopuses having sex with a princess.
10
A shirime, a Japanese spirit with an eyeball in its anus. By Shigeru Mizuki, 1960s.
11
Another painting of a Shirime, this one from 1754. According to legend, it does not mean to harm people. It finds joy in just scaring them with its butthole eye.
12
Octopus making love to a mermaid. Circa 19th century.
13
"Vagina-Mouth Masturbator" by Kuniyoshi Utagawa, circa 1830.
14
Painting of an assortment of penis and vagina monsters, by Kunisada Utagawa, 1825.
15
Sessen Doji Offering His Life to an Ogre, painted by Soga Shōhaku, circa 1764.
